The National tribune., 1887-01-06
WILSON'S CREEK.
What a cOmrade of the "a Kan. Saw There.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Capt. Crack
lin correctly described many Of the incidents Of
the battle of Wilson's Creek, but some of his
statements are certainly at variance with the
actual facts. As he says, the % Kan. assembled
the hill, or rather plateau, lin column offours,
left in front" We then formed in close COL
umn by companies left in front, and really the
rear rank in front.
Gen. Lyon appeared at the head Of the I'd
Kan. on horseback, and although was in tho
Second company in front and very near the
General at the time, failed 10 see him Swing
ing his hat in the air u; neither did hear him
call, Follow me-" Gen. Lyon did, however,
very distinctly and emphatically give the COM
mand open column, company distauce-For-
ward, right wheel, double quick-Mareh ~
When we passed the extreme right, then occu-
pied by the LIST Iowa, the command came from
Gen. Lyon, in person: Left wheel into line"
While We were executing this moyement-i C.,
when the regiment was in the position of about
half wheel into line-we were fired upon and
our whole line broke somewhat aud retired a
few PAGES, but reformed at once in line of bat
tie on the right Of the LIST Iowa.
The 2d Kan. had been in line about 10 min
utes when Gen. Lyon received the fatal shot
Near him at the time were Col. Mitchell, Mai
Cloud, and the Adjutant of our regiment Be-
ing an eyewitness i am confident that Gen.
Lyon did not fall into Lieut.. ShTy-r's arms, as
stated by Capt. Cracklin. Lieut. Shryer was
not less than 25 or 80 feet in front Of Gen.
Lyon and the regimental staff at the time On
the contrary, Gen. Lyon, leaning from his horse
upon Maj. Cloud, was supported in this posture
by the Major for a moment, when a Second
Lieutenant with detail of four men bore the
body TO the rear. About the same time Col.
Mitchell, Of the I'd Kan, was carried from the
front badly wounded.
Capt Cracklin should "giye honor to whom
honor is due" i fear he is rather lavish in his
praises of the gallantry of Lieut.-Col. Blair in
that battle. He asserts that Col Blair assumed
command Of the I'd Kan. when Col. Mitchell
fell. Now, being member OF that regiment
and with IL throughout that battle, j am posi-
tive that Col. Blair was not at any time during
the battle in command. That honor belongs TO
Maj. Cloud. am strongly Of the opinion that
Col. Blair had no part in the battle of Wilson's
Creek. However, i hope TO hear from other
comrades as TO this, aud TO be set right if in
error.
While apparently attempting history of the
I'd Kan, and giving some prominence TO its
operations about Forsythe, Mo-, Capt Cracklin
entirely omits the part taken by the regiment
in the Shelbina fight, In North Missouri, ON or
about Sept 4, 1861.
Another incident Of which was an eye-wit-
ness at Wilson's Creek may deserve mention.
The 4th La. attempted TO get to the right and
rear OF our regiment with view Of crushing
us between itself and their main line Seeing
this exclaimed, 1--WE are captured % Where.
upon the Orderly Sergeant Of Co. g, I'd Kan,
partially faced about and shot the Colonel of
the 4th La, who, being very large man, In
falling pulled his horse down with him, At
the fall OF their commander the 4th La. broke
in confusion and gave US no further annoy-
ance-ALExANDER BEcHER, private, Co. X, I'd
Kan; Sergeant, Co. L, LIST Mo. Cav, Attention,
Mo